Building a Better Brain

Ask someone on the far side of 50 about “senior moments” and often you’ll get a laugh. But for many people there’s a nervous edge behind that playful acknowledgment: In one survey, 57% of Americans reported diminished brain function as their biggest age-related concern, compared with 43% who worried about declining physical capacity.

That fear is well-founded. According to the Alzheimer’s Disease Association, that particular form of dementia affects 15% of people between the ages of 65 and 74, a number that goes up to 44% for those between 74 and 85.

Better brain health rests on a base of overall well-being including healthy diet, exercise, sleep and stress relief habits. In addition, a number of herbs and other natural therapeutic agents have shown themselves useful in improving various aspects of brain function, such as by boosting the activity of neurotransmitters, which carry signals between nerve cells, and improving circulation, which brings more oxygen and nutrients to hard-working brain cells.Article and Table Courtesy of Energy Times Magazine

Name

What It Is

What It Does

Ashwagandha*

Withania somnifera, a small shrub found in Africa, India and the Mediterranean; also known as winter cherry

Designed to reduce cravings by producing a rewarding sense of contentment and satisfaction; has been used by people with addiction problems and those looking to lose weight

Vinpocetine*

An extract taken from the lesser periwinkle (Vinca minor), a flowering plant used by landscapers as groundcover

Protects brain cells from the effects of ischemia, or insufficient blood flow, making it potentially useful after strokes; has helped seniors with cognitive dysfunction in studies

*Generally available in supplement form only in the US.

NOTE: Always consult with your healthcare practitioner for help in designing a
supplementation program, especially if you have a pre-existing condition.

Additional Brain Aids

Name

What It Is

What It Does

Bilberry

Vaccinium myrtillus, a blueberry relative native to northern Europe

A potent antioxidant that has supported proper gene function and shown anticancer properties in studies; its ability to promote healthy circulation while fighting inflammation is believed to underlay its neuroprotective abilities

Eleuthero

Eleutherococcus senticosus, a shrubby plant native to the northern Far East

Acts as an adaptogen, a therapeutic agent that helps fight stress and fatigue; has regenerated nerve cells in a lab model of the damage done by Alzheimer’s disease